Free LPG Cylinders, Free Bus Travel for Transgender Persons; Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Announces New Welfare Schemes

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has announced a series of major welfare measures in the state Assembly. Families with an annual income below ₹2.5 lakh will receive three free cooking gas cylinders every year, Vijay said.

The scheme, named ‘Annapoorani Super Six’, will be launched from Pongal 2027 and is expected to benefit around 1.30 crore families.

Under the scheme, the amount required to purchase three LPG cylinders will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries. The annual expenditure on the programme is estimated at around ₹4,000 crore.

The shortage of cooking gas cylinders caused by the war in the Gulf region has placed an additional financial burden on families. Vijay said the scheme was being introduced to reduce the financial pressure on people despite the prevailing economic difficulties. He said the government had decided to provide the money for LPG cylinders to protect people's welfare and fulfil its electoral promise.

During the election campaign, TVK had promised to provide six free LPG cylinders every year.

Free Bus Travel for Transgender Persons

The TVK government has also announced free bus travel for transgender persons and said the existing ‘Vetri Payana Thittam’ scheme for women would be expanded.

Under the expanded scheme, women will be allowed to travel free of charge on express, LSS and deluxe buses. The benefit will also be extended to inter-district bus services. The expanded scheme will be launched on October 2.

Parandur Airport Project to Be Dropped

The Chief Minister also announced that the second airport at Parandur, in Chennai, proposed during the DMK tenure, would be abandoned.

The previous Stalin government had proposed the airport at Parandur, located around 60 km from Chennai.

Vijay said the government would identify another location that is acceptable to the public. The new site would be selected only after expert teams conduct a detailed feasibility assessment.

The decision to drop the Parandur project was taken to avoid displacing people and protect agricultural land in the area, Vijay said. He stressed that farmers are the backbone of the country and that the new airport should be built at a location where families would not have to be displaced or adversely affected.

Vijay also announced that a new terminal would be constructed at present airport in Chennai.